What if the secret to enrollment success isn’t about bigger funnels, but about smaller friction?

In this episode of the Vine Down, I chat with Kevin Halle, VP of Enrollment Management at Wayne State College: a public institution serving a student body that’s nearly 50% first-gen. Kevin breaks down how Wayne State has not only grown enrollment significantly over the past decade but maintained a uniquely personal touch while doing it.

We dive into the common “scary friction” points first-gen students face, like hesitating to speak with professors about grades, feeling intimidated when dropping classes, and navigating unfamiliar college systems. Kevin shares how Wayne State proactively addresses these anxieties by intentionally creating a culture where students feel known, heard, and supported.

You’ll hear:

• How Wayne State balances rapid enrollment growth with highly personal student experiences.

• Specific ways their staff identifies and eliminates friction that can block student success.

• Why the concept of “Nebraska Nice” actually powers a cohesive, cross-departmental support network.

Kevin’s insights are not only thoughtful, but refreshingly actionable: If students repeatedly struggle, he says, it’s not the students who need to change. It’s us.

Listen in for powerful, practical ways your institution can get proactive about student support, and keep enrollment growth both meaningful and sustainable. Available wherever you get your podcasts!